No - Christ Invocation

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Despite complaints, the name of Jesus was mentioned in the invocation for Thursday's city council meeting in Longview, Wash., and the prayer drew a hearty "amen" from people who told the council they have a legal right to a Christian invocation.

Longview Mayor Don Jensen told the audience that until the council takes formal action to remove the invocation from meeting agendas, the prayer stays.

Jensen told The Daily News that the council expects to discuss the policy at a workshop.

Complaints prompted the mayor last month to ask the Kelso-Longview Ministerial Association to stop invoking Christ in invocations because it could expose the city to a lawsuit. Association members no longer provide invocations. A councilman invited Baptist Pastor Larry Pedigo to deliver Thursday's prayer.